The Plain DealerOscar Gamble turned the Afro into an art form while playing with the Cleveland Indians in the 1970s. And despite being only 5-foot-11 -- not counting the hair, of course -- he displayed the power of Samson at the plate by hitting 200 home runs. The Afro King also mastered the art of sliding into a base without letting his mane touch the ground, as you can see in this 1974 photo.

We all know what happened when Samson had his bad hair day. Dude went on the disabled list and never played the game the same way again.

My, how things have changed with our modern-day Samsons. They take the field, floor or court despite having what many would consider a very bad hair day.

But it doesn't seem to affect their games.

In fact, it makes them icons, trendsetters and vaguely mystical. As in, "How does that dude run around with all that hair?"

So go the Hairstyles of the Rich and Famous.

ASSOCIATED PRESSOne day earlier this season, Coco Crisp of the Oakland A's (the "A" stands for Athletics, not Afros) undid his braids -- only to discover that he was the spiritual heir of Oscar Gamble.

Super 'fros

Former Cleveland Indian Coco Crisp sent the baseball world into frizzies when he sported a massive Afro. Not in Cleveland. We've seen it all before -- and way before ex-Cav Ben Wallace took the floor at The Q. Oscar Gamble turned the 'fro into an art form in the 1970s. Gamble hit 200 home runs in his career despite being only 5 feet 11 inches and 165 pounds. No doubt, the 'fro made him bigger.

Grizzly men

Johnny Damon's turn-of-the-century beard and long hair broke down barriers in baseball -- for cave men. But the look has long been in vogue in the NFL. Former Cleveland Brown Lyle Alzado cultivated a grizzly-man look back in the 1970s, along with toughs guys like John Matuszak and Merlin Olsen. Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu takes it a step further -- and not just when it comes to length. He's parlayed his hair into an endorsement deal with Head & Shoulders, which even insured the mane with Lloyd's of London for $1 million.

THE PLAIN DEALERJocks rockin' mohawks? Usually comes off faux and not exactly punk. But Chris Andersen of the Denver Nuggets manages to capture the apocalyptic vibe of "The Road Warrior." The tattoos, menacing scowl and the whole basketball-as-violent-weapon thing help, I guess.

The Mad Max

Mohawks scream tribal, punk, wild, right? Well, Brian Bosworth's looked more like A Flock of Seagulls trapped in a wrestling ring. NBA madman Ron Artest dabbled with one, only to connote Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver." But Denver Nuggets hoopster Chris "Birdman" Andersen got the Mad Max look just right -- turning spikes and tats into a sign that the apocalypse is near.

The hair sculptors

David Beckham has dyed his 'do, even coifed it into a faux hawk. Cleveland Cav Boobie Gibson carved a star into his head. Ex-Cav Scot Pollard donned Mohawks and samurai styles. But Dennis Rodman is the Michelangelo of the art form -- a Renaissance hair man whose dome has had more colors and shapes than the Sistine Chapel.

JOHN KUNTZ/THE PLAIN DEALERUsually, the remake is worse than the original. Cleveland State guard Norris Cole proves that isn't always the case. The "Gumby" is still just as much hair-esy as it was the first time around.

Are we not Gumby?

"I'm looking for something that'll make me look like a kids show character." You'll never hear someone say that entering a salon. That's not to say many haven't come out looking like one. In the '90s, the NBA was loaded with dudes -- from Scottie Pippen to John "Hot Rod" Williams of the Cavaliers -- who looked like Gumby, thanks to the hi-top fad. You know, the hip-hop-inspired cut in which hair on the sides iscut off or kept very short and hair on the top of the head is very long. Yuck! Well, tell that to CSU guard Norris Cole or Milwaukee Buck Brandon Jennings, both of whom have revived the look. If Gumby ain't cutting it for you, there's Travis Hafner's "Shrek" look. Anderson Varejao stars as "Sideshow Bob." The craziest of them all belongs toColombian soccer star Carlos Valderrama, whose permed blond hair made him look less at home on the pitch than on "The Wizard of Oz."

THE PLAIN DEALERThe mullet was once the fiefdom of international soccer stars. That is, until proud Americans fought to make it ours. You know, guys like baseball's business-in-front-party-in-back pitching legend Randy Johnson. Or tennis star and mullet master Andre Agassi, seen in his pre-shaved-head days.

Mullet heads

America might never catch up with the world when it comes to soccer. But we're winning when it comes to soccer's favorite haircut. Baseball great Randy Johnson was a mullet master. Same for baseball-dude-turned-ESPN-analyst John Kruk. And is there a better example of American mullet mastery than the 'do once rocked by Andre Agassi?

Men of the 'stache

NBA bust Adam Morrison was hyped as much for his porn 'stache as his game. No surprise -- it was a reminder of the glory days in baseball when a mustache was mandatory for a lights-out relief pitcher. Ex-Indian Dennis Eckersley and Goose Gossage eachdonned a 'stache. Al Hrabosky wore his Fu Manchu. But no one rocked facial hair like Steubenville native Rollie Fingers. The Oakland A grew his waxed handlebar mustache to earn a $300 bonus from the team.

Bald is beautiful

Michael Jordan could beat the Cavs, Jazz and Pistons. Male-pattern baldness was another story. So he shaved his head and turned it into a style. The trend has countless followers, including hoopsters Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett and -- within time -- LeBron James, whose crown seems to be receding by the week. At least in this regardhe will be like Mike.

JOHN KUNTZ/THE PLAIN DEALERAnyone can grow a beard -- even a weirdo beard. But has any man ever grown two? Yes, it's former-Cav Drew Gooden who managed to not only take the floor with a beard, but also a soul patch on the back of his head.

Fear the beardos

Cleveland Cav Baron Davis credits his beard for his swagger. San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson's thick, black (and many say dyed) beard inspires fear in opponents. But how many players have had two beards? Only one, Drew Gooden. He not only grew a thick one in front, he also sprouted a soul patch on the back of his head.

Cornrows, braids and dreads

Allen Iverson was criticized for being a hip-hop "thug" when he donned cornrows. Well, don't blame the cornrows. Carmelo Anthony had 'em and looked about as threatening as Bo Derek. It comes down to how you carry your rows, braids and dreads. When Manny Ramirez got braided, it was just Manny being Manny.

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